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As test scores rise and engagement increases, schools are beginning to see the incalculable benefits of implementing digital curriculum and resources for math instruction. District and school leaders are using data to make strategic decisions, teachers are able to respond to students' individual needs, and students are employing higher-order critical thinking and reasoning skills-not just to arrive at the right answers, but to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts.
A SECOND-GRADE TECH EXPERT DECIDES MATH IS IMPORTANT, TOO
Students in Julie Spaite's second-grade class at Granger Elementary School in the Highland (OH) Local School District enjoy lots of tech-rich learning opportunities using Chromebooks and various digital curricula. But for one quiet, less-than-confident, average math student, transitioning to a digital platform meant something more.
When the class discovered that this student "had a knack for problem-solving tech glitches ... He quickly became the go-to student" for those who needed assistance. "Yes," Spaite says, "at first it was just, 'can you help me with this?'" But there was a shift. He "was in his comfort zone when surrounded with technology" and Spaite watched his confidence blossom and his peer interactions develop. He also became increasingly engaged in learning the content during math lessons. "He wanted to completely understand the math so when students asked for tech help, he could not only help with technology, he could also help with the math." From academics to social skills to his attitude towards learning, to say that this second grader "evolved is an understatement," Spaite says.
NURTURING ENGAGEMENT
While digital curricula for elementary students need to be engaging and developmentally appropriate, in addition to solidly supporting content standards, Spaite emphasizes that "It's not just about the flashy graphics and characters. The practice activities must be richly laced with mathematical vocabulary and thinking." She also looks for "activities that will allow for the students to experience productive struggle in order to expand their conceptual understanding of the topic at hand."
McGraw-Hill Education's Everyday Mathematics 4 provides this kind of challenge for her students in an all-inclusive program with online activities, reference book, interactive etools, games, tutorial videos, assessments, and more.
Just as important as the tools, though, is the well-managed, well-organized classroom environment in which digital learning takes place....